EU Officials Call Food Aid For Gaza Decaying Due To Israel's Blockade

Illustration of humanitarian aid trucks in Zikim and Kerem SALom Crossing. (Twitter/@WFP)

JAKARTA - EU Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality Hadja Lahbib said the blocking of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, Palestine by Israel had caused a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, while aid piled up outside and food decayed.

This was conveyed in a statement about the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, on Monday, ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

Lohbib indicated that there are three urgent priorities in Gaza, where Israel continues to commit genocide: continuing the ceasefire and facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid.

He stressed that the Gaza Strip is experiencing a humanitarian crisis due to the blocking of aid.

"For more than a month, there was no help, no food, no electricity, not even a piece of bread", he explained, quoted from WAFA April 15.

"While the warehouses outside Gaza are full of food, food in Gaza is running out and decaying outside because we cannot access the area. At least 100 children are killed or injured every day," explained Lohbib.

He noted that Israel had not approved any humanitarian aid missions that wanted to operate in the region for some time, and there were no more international staff in Gaza and the West Bank.

Lahabi further stressed that the situation in the occupied West Bank was also deteriorating, saying, "The forced transfer and violence have become a norm. This is why we need firm political action."

Lohbib noted that the first meeting of high-level political dialogue between the European Union and Palestine would be held, with the participation of Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, following a meeting of foreign ministers.

He added that the participants of the meeting would discuss opportunities for cooperation, bilateral relations, and speeding fulfillment